[Trace metal elements in gallstones and their roles].

The concentrations of metal elements in gallstones were measured by absorption spectrometry. Crystallographic analysis by the powder X-ray diffraction method was also performed. For all stones calcium was the major component. In calcium carbonate stones aragonite form, one of the CaCO3 polymorphs and usually unstable in nature, was dominant. As a whole, black-stones contained highest proportions of all metal elements. But these stones were crystallographically grouped into three types; they are calcium carbonate-, calcium phosphate-, and other-one. In each type, the concentration of metal element differed greatly. It is suggested that in black-stones the amount of Mn is remarkable and Cu is highly correlated to black residue. It was true, but Mn was remarkable especially in calcium phosphate-type and Cu was the highest in other-type.